This is a great thread. I agree; you need to do this for yourself. Tracking has been the most helpful thing to me - when I saw exactly how much I was eating it was clear why I was so heavy...losing the weight has been straightforward (not easy, but straightforward LOL) because I'm being honest with myself about what I'm putting in my mouth.

You just have to be determined and focused and believe you can do this. It takes time to change, but you will. I've done it and feel better, eat better and lost weight. You'll make it - just hang in. I also make my lunch to take to work every day. Today I made a tuna pasta salad with whole wheat pasta, low-fat mayo, white tuna in water, low-fat cheddar cheese, celery, onion, peas, salt & pepper and a bit of lemon juice. It is good. I'll have it for a few lunches.

What does that make my 18 lb. cat? Chips and dip are my downfall. My boyfriend can eat whatever he wants. i look at food and i gain weight! So, i have to nail it into his head to stop offering me snacks when he pulls them out. I am down 25 lbs and have kept it off for about a year. now i need to get the next 25 off (i will be happy with 15) and i am home free!

So True! I have 4 small dogs and I watch their weight like a hawk and manage their food to keep it in check. One pound on a 10 pound dog is 10% of their total weight, so it's a big deal! I was thinking that I need to do the same for myself - I have got to find a solution to my night time sabotage! Anyone have ideas for night time munching - either healthy foods or ways to get up and NOT eat?

I was talking with someone today and I talked about a dog that had to have back surgery and everything I did for him so he would have a full recovery. She told me I needed to take as good of care of myself as I did my dog. That really hit home. You all really help put things in perspective.

Jacks

"How you live one day is eventually how you live your life." -Phillip Yancey

From eating out almost every day (still eating healthy, but very expensive), I set up a goal to bring my lunch 3 days/week. After a while, I was ready to move on to 5 days/week, which is actually easier to do. I used to throw groceries away because it sat in my fridge for too long. By bringing my lunch everyday, I no longer toss food out in the garbage at the end of the week. I might sound like a broken record, but you have to set attainable goals, one small step at a time and be consistent. I don't loose weight as much and as fast as I would like to, but I am getting closer to a my goal, and I don't gain weight (which is already a victory for me). What started as a financial goal became a big improvment health-wise as well.

You have to believe that you can do it. You have to want to do it. In 2003, I saw a picture of myself when I weighted 45 pounds more than I do now. I had way too many chins. I lost 45 pounds and I have kept it off. I want to do it. I wear cute clothes because I can. That motivates me. You can do it! Don't give up!

I was resistant to changing my diet and exercise routines until I went to the doctor and was shocked by my horrible cholesterol and glucose numbers. Numbers don't lie...I was the one lying to myself that what I was doing, as far as diet and exercise, was enough.

Starting a journal was the best thing I did for myself. Tracking my nutritional intake and exercises everyday made me challenge myself and I like winning. In 6 weeks time I lost 10 pounds and brought my numbers within normal ranges.

Give it a hard try. What have you got to lose except pounds and bad test results!

Put YOURSELF as a priority. It takes about 6 weeks to form a habit - either a good one or a bad one. If you had to take care of someone else - and they needed their food intake recorded. You'd do that for them, wouldn't you? Be your own best friend & do this for yourself!

Liz

Leader: YOGA FOR WOMEN

"What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me" ~Helen Keller

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

I know I need to journal. I know I need to pack my lunch and eat it. I know a lot of things I'm supposed to do and will do them for a bout a week and then fall off the proverbial wagaon. Any suggestions on how to stay there longer than a week????

Jacks

"How you live one day is eventually how you live your life." -Phillip Yancey

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